Shibu Natesan
(1966)
Approach
A bound lion strung upside down as a tortoise makes its way across the floor beneath, makes for a surreal scene. Upon closer inspection, the seemingly realistic rendition belies the unnerving realisation that the lion's limbs, torso and the expression on his face are modelled on a human. There is the suggestion of the materials of sado-masochism in the black ribbons that tie the lion's paws. Shibu Natesan's work creates tension through the...
A bound lion strung upside down as a tortoise makes its way across the floor beneath, makes for a surreal scene. Upon closer inspection, the seemingly realistic rendition belies the unnerving realisation that the lion's limbs, torso and the expression on his face are modelled on a human. There is the suggestion of the materials of sado-masochism in the black ribbons that tie the lion's paws. Shibu Natesan's work creates tension through the juxtaposition of unlikely images rendered in a photo-realistic style. They are "evocative through an unexpected elision of symbols. In this way, he challenges the comfort of recognition. Given his painterly facility, Natesan...brings in taut metaphors of physical domination and power structures in a world of moral contestation." (Gayatri Sinha, "Talks, Works and Realism", The Hindu, 4 February 2005) Natesan's large format canvases are composed of disassociated subjects, diverse settings, and symbols ranging from wild animals to Caribbean reggae artists. Titled Approach, the present lot off ers another multi-layered construct where the tortoise literally "approaches" the lion, but there is also the question of what references a viewer might invoke as they approach this painting.
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Lot
67
of
119
SUMMER ONLINE AUCTION
6-7 JUNE 2017
Estimate
$12,000 - 18,000
Rs 7,68,000 - 11,52,000
USD payment only.
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ARTWORK DETAILS
Shibu Natesan
Approach
Signed and dated 'Shibu Natesan 05'; signed in Malayalam and inscribed '"APPROACH"' (on the reverse)
2005
Oil on linen
37.5 x 39.25 in (95.5 x 100 cm)
PROVENANCE: Saffronart, 11-12 March 2009, lot 9 Property from an Important Private Collection, Singapore
EXHIBITED:Paths of Progression: An Exhibition of Paintings by 12 Contemporary Artists, New Delhi: Bodhi Art, 21 August - 15 September 2005; Mumbai: Saffronart, 26 August - 5 September 2005; New York: Saffronart, 21 September - 5 October 2005; Singapore: Singapore Tyler Print Institute (STPI), 22 October - 5 November 2005 PUBLISHED: Peter Nagy, Paths of Progression: An Exhibition of Paintings by 12 Contemporary Artists, Mumbai: Saffronart, 2005 (illustrated, unpaginated)
Category: Painting
Style: Figurative
ARTWORK SIZE:
Height of Figure: 6'